Cole Hamels‘ three-pitch strikeout of Justin Ruggiano during the first inning of Monday night’s Phillies-Marlins game (box) in Miami isn’t more significant than most other three-pitch strikeouts, except for that (a) it occurred on three consecutive changeups and (b) it occurred in front of the very excellent Miami center-field camera, itself particularly well-suited to capture the movement of Hamels’ changeup and (c) the author happened — for some reason that no know one really knows — the author happened to be watching the game in question.

Pitch One

Velocity: 88.2 mphMovement: 11.8 in. gloveside, 9.6 in. rise*Note: Though this was classified as a changeup by the PITCHf/x algorithm, it would not be shocking — owing to its velocity (faster than Hamels’ normal change) and movement (rise-ier than his change, too) — to learn that it was a two-seam fastball.

*”Rise” relative to a spinless ball, that is. A normal fastball has about 8-9 inches of rise, owing to the backspin imparted to it; a normal change, about 4-5 inches.

Pitch Two

Velocity: 82.6 mphMovement: 8.1 in. gloveside, 5.9 in. riseNote: This pitch looks hit-able for a moment, but turns out probably not to be.

Pitch Three

Velocity: 82.9 mphMovement: 7.7 in. gloveside, 6.9 in. riseNote: This is the very well-conceived location of Hamels’ third pitch (click to embiggen):